Ginignite

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 18.

Small Gin September - fourth week.

• Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91.
• We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering Bartender, Lava Spirits and now Massingberd Mundy.
• Please get behind her and support this event. It has been really innovative from the distilleries so far and I think a lot of them would agree that this is down to Vanessa helping behind the scenes.
• I am really interested to see how this week progresses with Tristan and Massingberd Mundy (Episode 12)
• It has been really fun for the community and has really got people to engage with those behind the brands.

ProudBeerUK

• It is not really gin related but Vanessa @nessejay91 had a very frank conversation with Ethan and Sorren from Proud Beer. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFXkck-pkIX/ It is a really interesting conversation and my key takeaway is learning more about rainbow brands but also learning about how much brands donate to what they representing. Ethan and Sorren really should be proud of their ethics and morale judgement and you should listen as it is a real eye opener

The City of Aberdeen Taste and Vote pack

• Only available till tomorrow.
• The gins are all sensational and I have picked my winner I think.
• One more taste today to confirm.
• Please get involved.
• Also they have revealed their secret project Make Your Own Gin. You have the opportunity to choose up to 10 botanicals from 100 to make your own gin but guided by the expert distillers.
• Definitely something I am considering doing. Sounds like so much fun.

Thirst Of All Podcast

• Rory Faiers @theginlord has a new podcast called Thirst Of All Podcast. Now drink, Then Drink point in their life, First Drink, Last Drink and Never Drink.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• Whitley Neill Blackberry
• Always had Whitley Neill in my collection. I really enjoy the taste even though they are gradually getting replaced with some craft gins.
• Some are a bit niche such as Parma Violet and Pink Grapefruit gin but some are some great staples like the previous recommendations such as quince. They are also really nice in cocktails.
• They are cost effective as quite often they are on promotion in the supermarket.
• Nose - London dry with possibly a vague hint of blackberry. It is very vague.
• Flavour - Sweet taste then full blackberry flavour and juniper at the back end of the palette.
• I think if you are looking for a juniper led, dry taste then this probably is not the gin for you.
• I tested as I always do with Mediterranean and it creates in my opinion a lovely, fruit based G&T.
• I think that this would also work with another light tonic. I think it would work with Elderflower and I think you could probably even try blood orange as I think it would sweeten the flavour but you would probably lose a lot of the blackberry.
• It is too sweet in my opinion for a dry Martini but would work well in a cocktail possibly negating the need for sugar syrup.

Mixology

The Dark Arts Of Mixology

• So for the last few weeks inspired by Vanessa (episode 8)and The Wandering Bartender (episode 16) I have started moving from making cocktails into the dark art of mixology.
• I wanted to try and encourage you to do the same
• I know it can be quite daunting with some amazing cocktails coming out particularly from
• Vanessa @nessejay91 (Episode 8)
• Mark (@the_wanderingbartender) (Episode 15),
• Kerri @glassofgin_packetofseeds,
• Nikki Mendes @nikkimendesuk or @theonlywayisgin (Episode 7),
• Social Gin Girl @socialgingirl
• The queen of cocktails herself Tammy Jackson @forcocktailssake
• Until I talked to Vanessa I don’t think that I had the confidence to try.

Equipment

• Plus it is really not that expensive initially.
• You need shaker, ice, gin and ideally some sugar syrup. You will also need some alcohol and some citrus.
• I have got a standard cocktail shaker. I was encouraged by Vanessa and Mark to get a boston shaker. This is essentially two shaker tins which fit together. The idea is that the ice can flow a bit better in the greater area. I bought this and have not looked back.
• If you do decide to go down this route then you will also need a hawthorn strainer to catch ice (this is automatically caught in a standard cocktail shaker) and a fine strainer to catch stuff if you muddle and to catch fine ice crystals.

Start Simple

• I would also concentrate on making some easy classics like dry martini, negroni, Tom Collins or Bronx. So you will need some vermouth and campari and some citrus fruit or juice.
• Then try and put your own take on it.
• So for example the Bronx is 50ml gin, 25ml orange juice, 12.5ml vermouth, 12.5ml sweet vermouth.
• Why don’t you use The Edge l’Orange gin instead of your normal gin.
• You could remove the vermouth completely and instead add 25ml of cointreu or keep the vermouth and still add the cointreu. That is going to enhance the orange and make the drink sweeter.
• I am not expert all I want to do is encourage you to give this a go. Some of the things I have learned are put the ice in the small shaker first and then move to the large shaker.

Merlollins Walk Through

• So lets say you are going to go a bit more fancy and make the Merlollins i.e. an amalgamation of Merlin and Tom Collins
• For this recipe you muddle which essentially means that you get a wooden or metal stick and you roughly crush up the basil in this case at the bottom of the shaker tin.
• Then add the ice from the larger shaker tin.
• Then add 85ml The Edge l’Orange gin
• 25ml freshly squeezed smooth orange juice
• 15ml sugar syrup.
• Shake that up and then putting the large shaker tin down on the table knock the smaller shaker tin until they part. Carefully lift that away ensuring that you pour its precious contents into the large shaker.
• Then using a hawthorn strainer and a fine strainer pour the liquid into a high ball glass.
• Top up the rest of it with soda water.
• What seems daunting suddenly is really amazing.

Who to Follow

• I have picked out a few people. There are many more that I follow but these are the key people.
• Now I am only an amateur. To get to the next stage of which I am nowhere near you have to start to develop an understanding of the botanicals in your gin and how they play together with other flavours.
• So Mark (@the_wanderingbartender) for example starts sniffing one item in his drink individually then will bring them together to see how they virtually taste.
• Kerri (@glassofgin_packetofseeds) is really good in that she comes up with some interesting cocktails with some amazing ingredients. For me her cocktails come alive with their design. She natively makes them stand out with something from the garden or she has foraged such as nettles, summer fruit, flowers etc.
• Nikki Mendes (@theonlywayisgin) is really good at the look of her cocktails and what she puts in them. I would say that generally her cocktails are fruit based or citrus based. The thing I really like is her easy to access flavours.
• Christine (@socialgingirl) is really good. She produces the most amazing looking cocktails. They just look stunning. Her attention to detail is phenomynal. She does use a lot of weird and wonderful ingredients so you may want to go with some more manageable ingredients
• Tammy (@forcocktailsake) is amazing inspiration. Like Social Gin Girl some of the stuff she uses maybe out of your budget but most of it you can interchange. She is where I aspire to be because she uses some amazing ingredients. She also takes syrups to the next level e.g. she did a Negroni where she infused each ingredient she used.
• Vanessa takes it to a whole new level by researching the brand, the region it is from, the botanicals and formulates a plan based on those elements to derive a cocktail. She also comes up with syrups which she makes from scratch. She is my Yoda of mixology and is always the one messaging me to say go on give it a go.

Instagram Community Shout Out

• My Instagram shoutout this week is Emma @an_elfs_ruin
• I got to know her in Juniper July mainly not I am ashamed to say that I participated but I heard so much of the community talk about it
• Really got the community together and doing something 
• Love her posts. Been enjoying those on the Gower Gin company especially her recent one using Dragon strength gin in negroni
• Also love her post Under Milk Wood for #gowerginpresents
• Loved her gin ban and then her post where she bought some Pembrokeshire gin !!
• I also like her home blackcurrant gin liquor. It was so vibrant
• I also loved her dressing of FlowerBomb gin.
• Thanks Emma for your support of the gin community and your excellent posts.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 17. Today we are talking to Clare Ryan from the Edge Gin.
• Talk about her and Mikes magical brand. Where it came from.
• Merlin the Wizard
• London Dry, L’Orange and Pear gins

Small Gin September - third week.

• Please support this event. We have had Anfield Gin, The Wandering bartender and now we have Lava Spirits.
• I interviewed Laura in episode 11 for her launch day. It was amazing fun being involved in a launch.
• Looking forward to see how progresses during the week.
• Looking good so far.
• So a scoop from Vanessa. Would not tell me the distilleries but she has revealed there are not one but two more gin brands

The City of Aberdeen Distillery Signature Gin Vote

• Enjoyed my chat with Mark @the_wanderingbartender
• Got me chatting with City of Aberdeen distillery
• Deciding on their signature gin but not doing it alone
• No they are doing it in style and getting the people of Aberdeen and friends of the distillery. Plus it has the added accolade of becoming Aberdeen’s gin
• You order a box of 4 gins for £19.99 and you taste them neat and you taste them with your preferred tonic and you get a chance to vote.
• If you need more help you can tune in to their live tasting on Saturday at 15:00 at the Taste of Grampian event.
• If you are in Aberdeen it is in the Have a tipple tent. What a great name.
• Not around it is being recorded and will be available to watch.
• The gins are made from organic alcohol which costs twice as much but worth it for the taste
• The packs are sold for another week after this weeks event and you have to till the end of the month to vote.
• Such a great way to decide your signature gin
• Please support them
• https://cityofaberdeendistillery.co.uk/products/taste-and-vote

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• Weekly Gin Recommendation - Stranger and Sons Gin
• From the third eye distillery in Goa in India comes this gin based on a mythical beast with 3 eyes and 2 tails who came upon juniper berries hidden in a sari
• My hats off to co-founders Vidur, Sakshi and Rahul
• The nose is of a London dry but there is something fresh about it probably the lemons and something spicy I think perhaps the bergamot
• Taste very smooth. Initially sweet taste then the lemon and bergamot in the middle followed by juniper and a corriander bit at the end. The whole flavour I think is heightened with the black pepper.
• I was worried that all of these ingredients together would create a very spicy gin. They are all held to together in a beautiful flavour profile.
• I tried initially with Mediterranean tonic and this creates a very pleasant G&T.
• Due to its robustness I think there are not many tonics you could not throw at this gin but my favourite is not my beloved Mediterranean but Elderflower.
• This gin is certainly smooth enough for a dry martini although I think on balance I would prefer to us it in a whole host of other cocktails.
• It was my first gin from the Craft Gin club and I have to be honest if someone offered it to me I would probably pass. More fool me.

Clare Ryan from The Edge Gin

Meeting Mike and Cruise Ships

• Clare was the princess and Mike was the front end of the cow in an amateur dramatics production, which is how they met
• Clare plays violin and Mike plays guitar. They both sing.
• They were dating for a year and then Mike’s Dad organised their first gig in working mans club that he worked in
• Did two years of working mens clubs
• Then some theatre work with Hinge & Bracket / Ken Dodd
• Did showcase for Bookers for Cruise ships. Took them on and started on Fred Olsen Line
• Set sail for eighteen years at sea with various cruise companies
• Highlight for them was the travelling, local food / drinks and cultures

Why Alderley Edge ?

• Family history. Both Mum and Dad and Mum’s sister hung out there
• Lovely area
• Looking for somewhere nice to unpack case and setup home

Brand Idea

• Came from ‘The Edge’ which is a national trust area near to Alderley Edge
• All based on the legend of the wizard of Alderley Edge. 
• There is a Wizard pub and tea-room
• Love mythical history and fell in love with The Edge and the story of the wizard
• The legend of the wizard is such a lovely one
• Wizard of Alderley Edge is believed to Merlin
• Brand is playful with the legend
• Serious brand but with a bit of play on the legend
• Ties in with love of theatre

Brand Means To You

• Fulfillment, pleasure and happiness
• Love the myths and legend
• Fulfilling opportunity to produce something your love
• Had a photo shoot on The Edge. 
• Mike dressed up as the wizard. 
• Got a few funny looks by some dog walkers

How did you get into gin distilling ?

• Had not realised how big gin had grown until after arrived back in the UK after being away at sea
• Knew of quite a few craft distillers in Cheshire
• Really helped out by Mike’s best friend Paul Sheerin from  Defiance Distillery
• Invited to Defiance Distillery to see how it all worked and got the bug
• Thanks to Paul that got inspiration
• Then had to set themselves up.
• Not an easy process and spent a long time because HMRC lost their documents
• You can’t do anything until have the correct licences

How do make your gin ?

• Use neutral grain 96% alcohol
• Two stills Merlin and Arthur
• Starts 48 hours before distilling process
• Goji berries get soaked in neutral grain spirit and oranges for L’Orange
• Night before grind coriander seed and juniper berries
• Some botanicals ground in pestle and mortar and all put in muslin bags. Soaked goji berries added to bag
• Oranges discarded but dehydrated oranges added instead for L’Orange
• Goes under lid of still
• Vapour infusing via temperature control
• Takes about 8 hours
• Whilst waiting labelling bottles, putting gift boxes together. All by hand
• Switch off still and leave gin to settle over night.
• Reverse osmosis machine to purify water
• The gin is poured from the still into a large tank and the reverse osmosis is added
• Using alchometer and thermometer work out how much water to add
• Left for a few days because it takes time for gin and water to merge together
• If tried initially would have quite the bite
• Wait a few days and then bottle

How does time get divided between Clare and Mike ?

• Mike does a lot of behind the scenes stuff doing the paperwork etc
• In the distillery no real defined job. Share everything
• Clare does the front of house doing social media and events

The Gins !! Order of Production

London Dry Gin

• Produce first because signature gin. 
• Wanted to have nutritious gin. 
• Clare did a diploma in nutrition. 
• Wanted to have something in London Dry that had nutritional value. 
• Goji berries as signature botanical after the juniper.
• Delicate sweetness. 
• Aided in created smooth gin

L’Orange Gin

• Came about because a lot of requests from artisan markets. 
• Kept being asked for an orange gin. 
• Got recipe testing. 
• London dry base recipe. 
• Important to create an flavoursome orange, natural gin. 

Pear Gin

• Chose because different as not many out there. 
• Have pear trees in the garden. 
• Clare kept walking past and thought wouldn’t a pear gin be lovely. 
• No sugar or sweeteners. 
• Tried soaking pear fruit but did not give much flavour. 
• So use dehydrated pears

Perfects Serves / Cocktails

London Dry

• Serve with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic.
• Slice of orange or ruby grapefruit
• Sprig of rosemary as well. 
• Used dried lemon and orange peel so bring out citrus
• Lychee Martini

L’Orange

• Serve with Premium Light tonic such as Fever Tree Light
• Slice of Orange
• Try some basil
• Looks pretty and fragrant
• St Clements Martini
• The Alderley Orangetini
• Merlins Magic
• The Chester Grosvenor
• The Merlgin Rogers

Pear

• Perfect server Elderflower tonic
• If are not an Elderflower fan then premium light tonic or if not a tonic fan then sparkling waters such as apple and Elderflower
• Garnish with a slice of pear or pear sphere
• The Peartini Up

New Flavour

• Pink gin
• Fruits of the forest
• Not likely until next year when the distillery expands
• Would need additional still Guinevere

Markets

• Markets very important
• Market research in the markets
• Get gin out in front of the general public
• Very worthwhile
• Nice to meet everyone and customers
• Looking to expand eventually into supermarkets
• In Portland wines, Bargain Booze, local bars and farm shops
• List of local stockists are on the website

Contact

• Website
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook

What is your favourite gin, other than your own, and how would you serve it ?

• Like a free pour of Larios Gin in Spain by the beach
• With ice, Indian tonic and slice of lemon
• Side of bread and aioli

What does gin mean to you ?

• Brings happiness making gin and the drinking of
• Making other people happy
• Knowing that it is something that people enjoying
• People tag in photos
• Like the gin community and the way it brings people together

Gin Community Shout Out

• Old Bell Inn, Saddleworth village of Delph, 1258 gins commercially available and in Guiness Book of Records
• Taste of Grampian virtual festival 18-20th September https://www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk
• Vermacity UK sent round a post. Drink Responsibly. Don’t Spill It which made me laugh
• Admiring the new branding apron from The Only Way Is Gin. Can’t wait until you announce when your signature gin is coming !!!
• Leah Buckingham - 5 day Instagram challenge starting on Monday 28th September 2020. I did one a few months ago and it was really good. Just to click on the link in her bio @theleahbuckingham

Instagram Community Shout Out

• My Instagram shoutout this week is @ginscousegirl
• Mel thank you very much for liking some of my posts. It has not gone un-noticed
• Loved the lime gin and lemon and elderflower gin. Really loved the gorgeous plate underneath. Loved the story around Rome
• Ginsunset - loved this cocktail with gin, orange, lime, cranberry and pineapple juice.
• Loved the Rock Rose Gin with Bibite Polara Mandarino (tangerine) and the green vibe to the post
• Really loved Gin & elderflower fizz. I love Mermaid gin too !!! Not really put in cocktails. You have inspired me to try !!
• I really love your posts and how much effort you put into them. I also appreciate how down to earth they are which makes them a joy to read.
• Thank you again for your support and congratulations for being this weeks Instagram shoutout.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 16
• Small Gin September - second week.
• Please support this event. Last week it was the fabulous Anfield Gin and this week it is Mark from the wandering bartender.
• We still have two more to go
• The Wandering Bartender - Please support the competition. Only two more rounds to go. Very close at the top.
• My clothing sample came today and I am wearing it on the video and really well packaged in a paper, recyclable packaging.
• Really enjoyed myself with Merlin over the weekend at The Edge Gin distillery and we have been creating cocktails all week. Thank you to Mike and Clare for their support.
• I am a Craft Gin Club virgin. Not sure why I did not join sooner. Love the magazine, the gin you get, the serving suggestions, the garnishes. Amazing value. If you have not already joined you should definitely consider it. Would love to have you on the podcast !!

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• This weeks gin recommendation is Pitwheel Distillery Raspberry and Vanilla Gin
• The Pitwheel Distillery were the first craft gins that I discovered purely by accident and because of a hilarious post they put out.
• As I wanted to try all of their gins I was really pleased that they did a miniatures pack. I really did not know what to expect but all I can say is wow and thank you.
• Their gins are superb and whilst I have bought the Original spiced the Raspberry and Vanilla is definitely on my gin budget in the future.
• The nose of this gin is alcoholic raspberry and is really strong.
• I have to say that whilst I find it hard to pick out the vanilla the depth of the raspberry is phenomenal.
• So much so that my go to Whitley Neill Raspberry gin has lost is badge and spurs !! and there is a new sheriff in town and it's name is Pitwheel Raspberry and Vanilla gin.
• I tested with my normal Fever Tree Mediterranean gin but I think this would also pair well with a standard or Elderflower gin.
• I think it would make a very interesting dry martini and would be great in cocktails especially with some fresh raspberries as a garnish.
• Well done Pitwheel for turning out another amazing gin.

Mark Herbert from the Wandering Bartender

Early Career Navy

• Mark joined the Royal Navy because it was raining and the nearest shelter was the forces recruitment centre !
• He joined his ship in the Falklands primarily for drug patrol.
• Part of crew who apprehended a boat in 2006 with 250 million pound of cocaine.
• Biggest in naval history until 2 years ago
• Based at one island in the Caribbean which had only one bar
• Started to drink cocktails

Aberdeen, Southampton, Australia and New Zealand

• After three year in the navy came back to Aberdeen
• Started work at a desk but decided not for him.
• Worked in couple cocktail bars and realised had a flair for it.
• He was good with flavours and people
• Got bored and through a dart into map of Britain.
• Landed in Southampton and after a nineteen hour bus ride he had applied for a job, got and interview and then started a job and made friends
• Eventually opened up a cocktail business with a friend called Mix It.
• After passing of his grandfather went back up to Aberdeen to be with his Mum
• Got the wandering bug again and this time a bit large and moved to Australia
• His boss did not pay his taxes and so he had one day to back up and leave for New Zealand
• Lucky he went there because that is where he met his wife.

Aberdeen, Cumbria and Commercial Lubricants

• Came back after six month on a holiday to Spain and then Aberdeen.
• His wife loved it so much that they cancelled the return flights and stayed.
• Although his wife did get in trouble with her parents because they did not say goodbye
• Mark worked as assistant bar manager in most prestigious hotel in Aberdeen
• Then his wife got wedding business opportunity in Cumbria but said would only move if Mark made bar manager. This is the number one wedding venue in the north.
• Mark was asked to do a job selling commercial lubricants in Norfolk because he was good with people
• Then they were pregnant and no family network so decided to move back to Aberdeen to get support

The Wandering Bartender

• His wife is an elopement planner.
• She saw a gap in the market where people would get married beside a Loch or on a hillside say their ‘I do’s' and then would have nothing else to do.
• Her idea was to send Mark up with a rucksack and cocktail making equipment and he would make them a bespoke cocktail.
• They get to keep recipe for the rest of their lives

The Wandering Bartender Bar and Services

• Mark has constructed his own home made bar in lockdown which he showed on a live.
• He got someone local to him to make a sign which looks fabulous
• Mark has a professional collapsible bar which takes 10 mins to put up
• For covid it now has a perspex sheet in front of it
• He goes out to houses or events.
• Either choose cocktails from an agreed list and Mark will make them
• Or do master class where have 3 cocktails. 1st cocktail and 2nd cocktail shown and get to make and 3rd cocktail made themselves from whatever is in the bar
• Training as well all over Scotland. Create menus for hotels and bars but mainly bars.
• Most hotel bars get it wrong. Need to make sure simplify
• If constructing menu would split down the middle.
• 20 cocktails on menu. 10 standard. 10 new age cocktails. Bar tender creations. Take input from staff and Mark’s twist
• If were to do the Ritz in London. More in depth. Stick to about 20 cocktails. Every single one a bespoke cocktail.
• Always encourages staff to talk to customer.
• Make the cocktails all about the person

How would get started with cocktails ?

• Remember two, one and half
• Two shots of alcohol
• One shot citrus
• Half shot of sugar

Basic Equipment

• Boston shaker e.g. two shakers or one glass and shaker
• Hawthorn Strainer
• Fine Strainer
• Measure
• Normal ice is fine don’t need to have crushed ice

Creating a bespoke cocktail for couple for wedding

• How they met ?
• What did you drink ?
• Where they are from individually ?
• Specific drink on a date
• Favourite holiday destination ?
• How drink Milk and no sugar - citrus cocktail dacquiri etc
• Tea with no link - Manhattan, Martini, old fashioned
• Sugar - fruitier sized cocktail
• If from Sweden for example what drinks, what botanical.

Creative Process

• Use nose a lot
• Sniff alcohol first and then mixer and then both together
• About personal taste
• Taste individual components
• Try not to drink too much. Save taste buds for other people.
• Always taste cocktail before giving out.

The Wandering Gin

• Most cocktails are gin based and could not find gin for cocktails. Was not perfection looking for
• City of Aberdeen distillery. Go in and taste gins. Describe them and then 106 botanicals to choose from
• Went in with what wanted. Citrus sweet led. Wanted Dacquiri based gin
• Contain orange peel, lemon peel, kaffir lime, moroccan coriander and elderflower
• Alan head distiller at City of Aberdeen distillery. Had to wait 2 weeks before could taste. Took 3 attempts.
• Also uses organic neutral spirit. Twice as expensive but twice as good. No burning sensation

The Wandering Gin Flavour profile

• Elderflower comes through when neat and soon as add tonic citrus is there. Every gin should work with lime and tonic.

Cocktails

• Some bar people are very pretentious and will not serve cocktails because beneath them
• All about serving something someone wants and then educating them to give them what they actually want
• Mark shared an interesting story about an old bar manager.
• If someone is drinking rum and coke all night. First serve this to them and if it is quiet enough ask why likes rum.
• Then pour rum in a glass and ask to taste. Normally would say that is strong. Then add ice. Then add lime. Then apple juice. Then Dandelion and Burdock bitters.
• Then go with that drink all night.
• Taste something and trust.
• Encourage that side of things
• Give wider variety

Why did you start to sell The Wandering Gin ?

• Was not intending to sell gin
• Would always take with him and was very proud to talk about it and serve with Walter Gregors tonic.
• Everyone wanted to buy.
• Went to City of Aberdeen distillery and asked if could sell.
• Now sell on their website.
• First time this was done
• Hoping to be in some local small stores soon

The Wandering Bartender Cocktail Competition

• Competition still running at the moment.
• 2 more rounds.
• Ran competition anonymously.
• Non-cocktail making accounts.
• Theme a week for 6 weeks.
• This week outdoors.
• Take a cocktail and take a photo
• Cocktails produced are fabulous.
• All participants have helped out and promoted it.

Small Gin September

• Vanessa messaged him and asked if this would work. First to agree to be involved
• Vanessa sent list of timing and when to post.
• How to build up tension.
• Just posted 1st day trivia.

The Wandering Bartender brand

• Started with his wife’s elopement business and wandering up mountain sides to serve bespoke cocktails
• Decided a bit too niche.
• Also do master classes, parties and training and bring all under one umbrella

What does the Wandering Bartender brand mean for you ?

• Everything to me.
• Do for Family.
• Meant to be fun.
• Not meant to be serious because drinking is meant to be fun.
• Show people right content and drink sensible.
• High standards.
• Marks personality.
• Mark describes it best as “Me on a label.”

What is next for the brand ?

• Contemplating franchise in England.
• Use brand to help out. Kit out with brand and gin.
• Do what he does in England.
• Different Wandering bars in UK. Split England into 6. Always want cocktail and tapas bar.
• Worked out how to ship gin round EU.
• Too difficult to ship to Austrailia. The Wandering Tavern, in Wandering where his sister lives wanted some Wandering Gin but would cost £85 per bottle !!!

New Flavour

• One last question.
• Potential new flavour.
• Currently talking with the City of Aberdeen distillery for Sloe gin.
• Waiting for Sloe berries to appear.
• Need 10kg of Sloe berries.

Get in touch

• Website: https://www.thewanderingbartender.co.uk
• Instagram: @the_wanderingbartender
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderingbartender1

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve it ?

• Macintosh Gin Old Tom - great family business
• Jim and Deborah got married recently.
• Congratulations to them.
• Best with Lemonade and pineapple.
• 3 products at the moment. London Dry, Old Tom, and Navy Strength

What does gin mean to you ?

• Changed perception.
• Nice for cocktail.
• Wide variety of flavours and profiles.
• 50 in your bar no one the same.
• Great gin community online apart from a few fractures.
• Variety and community

Gin Community Shout Out

• A lot has been happening this week.
• Gin_Meets_Girl - Sorry about car accident but I loved your post about a go to gin. I have seen a live with
• glassofgin_packetofseeds with the Otterbeck distillery Cotton gin. I am not surprised either that it is all over Instagram at the moment. Otterbeck distillery if you want to come on the podcast just say !!
• Craft Gin Club - I have been paying more attention to their posts given that I have just joined and I really want to thank those people who welcomed me on my first post on Facebook.
• I also wanted to talk about one of the post they put out until I am unable to download gin I will remain unimpressed with technology
• Four Pillars also grabbed my attention again with another new product Rare dry Gin Organic Dark Chocolate
• Stockport gin - staying in is the new going out trying to encourage you to a virtual tasting. What is your view on virtual tastings. Some people love them and others want to go to the distillery direct

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Instagram shoutout this week is Bev from @gin_meets_girl.
• She is a recent discovery for me but I love the fact first of all she works for are amazing NHS. I would like to thank you and your colleagues for keeping us safe. We really do appreciate it.
• I really love her posts. They are really down to earth and tell a great story and always ask for engagement.
• I have not really engaged. Will do in the future
• Loved your last post about Stranger and Sons, from this months Craft Gin Club, and the fact it got you to order curry because it is an Indian gin
• Your posts are always so vibrant and so well presented.
• I think they must take you ages. All I can say is that it is all worth it.
• Please continue to post your fantastic content and I will be a lot more engaging in your posts in the future.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 15
• Small Gin September
• Brainchild of Vanessa @nessejay91 who not only is a fantastic mixologist among other things, see episode 8 of the podcast if you want to know more, she is inspirational. 
• Please get behind her and support this event. The first one is with @anfieldgin which will be over when this podcast comes out but check her feed on Monday for the next distillery.
• Month long event dedicated to smaller distilleries / gin brands.
• Each week distillery will post events / trivia or something else from Tues - Thurs 
• 3 chances to win. 
• About engaging with these brands and getting to know the people behind the gins
• Its about bringing fun and positivity to the community
• Episode 12 Tristan Jorgensen from Massingberd Mundy has got himself into the craft gin club by being the new discovery gin for the month with Marie Jeanne

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• Weekly Gin Recommendation - The Edge l’Orange
• So I have been luck enough to join the WGN - the wizards gins network and to be able to have direct access to the Wizard of Alderley Edge.
• Thank you to Mike and Clare for sorting that out for me.
• This week the wizard and I created Merlin’s magic and it seemed only fitting, as I can’t say enough about this gin, that it was my weekly recommendation.
• I normally steer clear of orange gin because all I taste is just that. The drinking of the gin is spoilt because I spend so long thinking how can I counteract the orange. 
• This has got me to the point that I actively avoid gins of this nature.
• The nose is really interesting. It definitely has citrus notes and their is a subtle orange aroma. 
• Normally I would expect to have the flavour strike you first and then get sweeter but that is not the case with The Edge, L’Orange.
• On tasting neat, you get a super smooth London dry, with a seemless orange taste throughout the flavour profile with a slight elevation of heat at the end.
• For testing purposes I added my normal Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic. It was not overpowered at all. This is so unusual for a gin of this nature. 
• This would be an excellent accompaniment to any tonic I can think of.
• I always assess how smooth a gin is to work out whether it would work as a dry martini. The answer is absolutely. Although I think I would have to call it the Alderley Orangetini.
• The Edge L’Orange is a mixologist’s wizard toolkit. It is so versatile that it would be a great addition for many cocktails.

Do you Tell A Story

Story and Picture

• Ben tells a little story of Ginignite and then explains how he would do it as bullet points
• Then asks which do you prefer the story or bullet points ?
• Importance of a picture to tell your story.
• A picture really can speak a thousand words

Examples 

The Edge Gin

• The Edge Gin embraces in their brand wizards, magic, Alderley Edge and 3 different gins London Dry, L’Orange and Pear.
• All images around The Wizard Of Altderley Edge. The Edge name. Easy to craft posts around this.
• Easy to post about and tell a story

Vanessa (@nessejay91)

• Vanessa always investigates about the cocktail, where it is from, the botanicals and the ingredients of the spirit she is using to evaluate what to put with it.
• Plus most of her photos of her cocktails are always outside.

Kerri (@glassofgin_packetofseeds)

• Kerri has a flair for gardening and bringing this into her cocktails
• She uses flowers especially with cocktails and matches the colour
• She used fruit when drinking The Edge Pear for example
• Also has done a few lives now to add to the voice of her stories.

Jamie (@jamie_and_gin)

• Outstanding colour combinations and presentation
• Complementary colours 
• Good lighting 
• The right amount of props
• Comprehensive tasting notes

Anfield Gin

• Anfield Gin - story of father and daughter. Gave out random facts on Monday Mark and Chelsey. Football fans five botanicals tattoos. 
• Chatting with Andie and to others last week this exactly what people want to get to know the people behind the brand.

Pitwheel distillery

• Heritage → Pitwheel
• Mining, hardwork.
• Pitwheel represents Wingate monument
• Joke posts which is how I got to know them
• Behind the scenes

Over to you

• How are you going to tell your story ?
• Think about trying to keep a certain consistency
• For example I have gradually been honing how my grid looks on Instagram and I think I have finally sussed it
• Think about whether your want to apply filters to your posts
• Think about the lighting for your posts, colours and props. There is also nothing wrong with doing whatever you want. Just try to be different and tell a story
• Thing about how you are going to write your post. Are you going to make it factual. Are you going to make it a bit zaney ?

Gin Community Shout Out

• A lot has been happening this week.
• Mermaid - I forgot to mention last week that Mermaid gin has a range of organic clothing produced by Teemill, which is the same company that I am using to bring out my signature range of clothes very soon
• Stillgardendistillery - been loving the montage of crazy footage that they have been putting out. Would love to get them on the podcast just to explain what an experimental distillery does.
• The Gower Gin Company - close to my heart because I was born and brought up in the Gower for the first 4 years of my life. They are also looking for Sloe pickers in the local area. See their Facebook page for more details. They are number 1 for innovation this week as they have started flat packing their gins in 5cl bags which can be recycled. Get their 4 key gins in the pack for £14.95. Amazing value.
• Aberfalls announced recently that it can now deliver nationwide.
• Sunrise nursery produced a door mat which made me laugh Knock, knock it’s gin o’clock. Please hide all parcels from my husband.

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Instagram shoutout this week is to Netty from mothers_ruined_gin
• I really like your presentation of your posts especially the one on Honeybee gin with the yellow flower. Plus you paired it with Mediterranean tonic which would totally be my serve too.
• I love the Elderflower and Lavender Collagin and the fact the post is completely purple.
• I liked your entry into the Gower gin company competion #gowerginpresents with Gower Almighty. I thought it was really inspired.
• You have 1 or 2 competitions at least which have been really well received and I know I have been tagged once of twice for your Collagin competition.
• 
  
• Keep up the good work and look forward to your next post.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 14
• Interesting thinking about what Ian from LogoGeek said last week
• Discussed brand as folder in your mind 
• Key takeaway for me was thinking about who you are planning to appeal to with your posts
• Think about a story to differentiate yourself and be unique don’t copy
• Don’t think Mont CervGin will be taking off too soon but a guest coming up soon maybe able to help me with that one.

Weekly Gin Recommendation

• This weeks recommendation is from the Penderyn Distillery and is Brecon Gin.
• In 1990s friends in a pub were talking about creating a whiskey distillery and they 'dreamt of creating a whisky as pure and precious as Welsh gold, represented today by Penderyn’s ‘gold seam’. They did that. I loved the whiskey and so had to try the gin
• They use the base grain spirit that they use for the whiskey and create a gin with botanicals from the four corners of the world 
• The nose is very much London Dry Gin i.e. heavily juniper based
• The flavour profile begins with an initial sweet taste followed by a citrus and then with the dry juniper taste at the back of the profile.
• This is a very smooth gin and 43% and goes nicely with a light tonic such as standard, Mediterranean or Elderflower.
• It could easily lend itself to a cocktail and is smooth enough to work as a dry martini although would not be my first choice.
• It has a proud place on my gin shelf and for anyone who loves a London Dry Gin with something a little bit special I can thoroughly recommend.

Andie Riches from Geordies Love Gin

Oral B Ambassador

• Getting the word out about keeping your teeth healthy especially with delicious cocktails containing sugar
• Was given a toothpaste target toothache
• If you go to the page on Boots you can get 50% off using the code CALM50
• Always go for gin with natural flavours and not much sugar.
• Classic G&T drinker
• Stay away from sugary spirits. Go with
• Chocoholic. No sugary gin. Gin without sugar
• Balance

Competitive Rowing

• 8 people in crew
• Went to Women's Henley Regatta
• In Nationals

Swimming

• Waiting for pools to re-open
• Strength and conditioning with Zoom
• Sessions in local park now given that lockdown has been reduced

Mermaid Class

• Talked about that Bens tail would be pink to match the log
• Plastic covered in neoprene which you put both your legs into
• Then add the lycra tail
• Lots of mermaid activities like a treasure hunt finding jewels at the bottom of the pool and learning to blow Mermaid bubble
• Get badges bronze, silver and gold
• Having fun

How did you get into gin ?

• Holiday in Ibiza
• 21st birthday
• Quite pricey gin in copper glass with blue tonic
• Tasted lush

Why did you choose Instagram ?

• Liked pretty pictures
• Enjoyed taking pictures
• Way to look back on gin and how enjoyed it
• Better to use Instagram rather than making written log

Why did you start posting more recently ?

• Difficult time in lockdown
• Hefty gin collection build up from Christmas and had time to open, try them and post
• Let people know what going on
• Did gin in a day May by @gin_a_ding_ding last year so decided to do it this year
• Got inventive with posts
• Then got bug

How do you select the gin that you post with it ?

• From collection
• Not post if not enjoy it
• Like to post favourites and way of drinking it
• If find different way to drink then will post

What makes a good post for you ?

• Did a post on swimming pigs recently and went to local farm shop to take pictures with their pigs
• Was lucky to be winner of Swimming Pigs gin
• Pigs are very friendly and inquisitive and snorts very cute
• Would love to eventually see actual swimming pigs in Caribbean

If look at some else post what works for you ?

• Offers and deals
• Want to know where they bought something and how much it was
• Try something new
• Clear image
• What garnish it is ? etc

Live with Tristan from Massingberd-Mundy Mundy

• Saw on stories asking if a ginfluencer would be interested in doing a live.
• Decided would give it a go
• Not done before
• Hospitality industry has had a difficult time and wanted to local followers to see that these places are ready for business.
• Ben though the live was really unique because it was in a restaurant
• Mark is owner of the the restaurant called Caboose in Blyth
• Located on river Blyth and see the river and sea
• Use her own platform to help others

What would you do differently in a future live ?

• Different location to keep things interesting
• Market research with customers trying gins
• Another cheeky discount code
• Nothing currently planned at present

What qualities attract you to a brand ?

• Local brands
• Reducing environmental impact regarding plastic and packaging
• Ben mentioned Mermaid gin as being really good on limiting their environmental impact, especially plastic and trying to source where possible local ingredients
• Love to see people behind the brands
• Get to know the people
• Over lockdown lots of brands have been using live platform to promote gin
• Nice when a brand recognise you
• Ben was very humbled when he had something he wrote for The Edge Gin reposted

Holy Island Gin

• Did not go to big supermarkets unless click and collect
• Go to local farm shop once a week Moorhouse Farm in Stannington
• Had good rules and guidance. Already wearing marks. Designated area to wash hands.
• Made feel really safe
• Have tasty produce and locally produced gins
• Picked up Holy Island Gin
• Really good engagement over Instagram with Holy Island Gin
• Urge anyone in Northumberland to go and visit
• Local and nearby and love Holy Island

How can a brand get more engaged ?

• Like and comments posts
• Competition and lives.
• Andie did first competition a few weeks ago
• Mutual contact between her and the distillery
• Important to say competition not sponsored by Instagram
• Liked doing the video of the drawing of the winner

Logo and Brand

• Logo designed by Judith (Mum)
• Name does what it says on the tin
• Likes minimal stand out logos. Can change to anything like Geordies Loves Rum and Geordies
• Gin deal page to try and benefit others
• Website very new
• Merchandise a bit of fun

Superlushcards

• Separate account from Geordies Love Gin but cross posting between the two.
• Judith has done some gin related cards. Cheeky, funny cards. Helps with ideas for gin greeting
• Gin Christmas range coming out soon

Future Plans

• Not go a lot planned for the future
• Trying to find good deals

Contact

• Instagram - @geordieslovegin
• Twitter - @geordieslovegin
• Website - https://www.geordieslovegin.com

What is your favourite gin and what would you serve it with ?

• Law Gin, Ibiza
• First distillery visited and favourite island
• Light tonic and good wedge of orange

What does gin mean to you ?

• Fun. Love gin in moderation.
• Mum and Grandma can enjoy it together
• Not just on your own
• Missed Grandma in lockdown and now in bubble

Gin Community Shout Out

• Tiger gin making me laugh with hilarious posts
• The Gower Gin Company has has loads of posts. Look at #gowerginpresents. I like the winner The Usual Suspects by vickymason88 and also @an_elfs_ruin under milk wood
• Stockport Gin I don’t feel hungover. I have gin flu !!
• the_wanderingbartender - competition. This week it is James Bond. The entries are amazing. Check it out by going to the_wanderingbartender and voting

Instagram Community Shout Out

• This weeks Instagram shoutout is to Carole of Grandmasginparlour
• Love the fact you used to have Westies. You definitely get a thumbs up from me and a paw up from Rufus my Westie
• I like your Grandmas Gin Parlour board that you present on
• Really liked your presentation recently of the Gower Gin and the fact that Mr C was having Gwyr Rhosili - Dragon and you were having Rhamanta Gin
• I liked the splash challenge that you did and I will forgive you that it was not gin
• I liked the picture of you out after lockdown. It is always nice to see someone behind the Instagram. Something that I really need to do myself.
• I like the fact that you try things in your posts and then refine them. e.g. when you tried the Highland Sling with the Rock Rose Gin Citrus Coast Edition and decided to dispense with the sugar syrup and just have the Elderflower posh pop.
• Keep your posts going and thank you for your support.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 13
• Today I am chatting with Ian Paget from Logo Geek
• Ian started Logo Geek in 2011 initially designing logos for friends on the side of his job as a Creative director and went part time 3 years ago. March full time
• Ian has been featured in logo lounge, photoshop creative and net magazine and has been on the jury for design awards including transform awards, best brand award and visual identity awards to name few.
• Thank you very much for the kind words from The Edge Gin after my Peartini Up post
• @glassofgin_packetofseeds who said she liked watching my Instagram stories.
• @Tristan.jorgensen_ made me laugh over the weekend when he just came up with a cocktail out of the blue, except it was orange Burrells Breeze
• @girls_on_gin got to 3000 followers which is just amazing.
• @theginlord - Thank you sir for your candid remarks on Instagram and for you guidance on how we should all behave. It was much needed and I can't thank you enough for your intervention.
• I am starting very soon a service to help businesses get their voices out to a wider community.
• If anyone is interested in working with me helping them to design a podcast, a voice over or help designing a campaign then please get in touch.

Gin Recommendation

• Weekly Gin Recommendation is Whitley Neill Quince
• I have been a fan of Whitley Neill for a long time. Although my palette is changing towards small batch gins and their amazing flavours I still have not found anyone that makes quince gin. 
• It is the quintessential English fruit that even many people in the UK have not heard of. Quince looks like a cross between an apple and a lemon and is usually served in a jelly form to have on your morning toast.
• The nose of the gin is unmistakably Quince with an alcoholic undertone.
• The palette profile starts with an initial sweet taste which tapers off into just quince. This is followed by a bit of heat and finally you get to the juniper at the back end.
• I would serve this with a light tonic standard or Mediterranean and I am very partial to it now after the suggestion from @elliebee30 to having it with Elderflower.
• A stronger tonic would destroy the flavour in my opinion. This would be great in cocktails. I am not quite sure whether it would work as a dry martini because I think the flavour is a little too sweet.
• It is also nice just as a sipping gin. So much so I think I will have another !!!

Ian Paget from Logo Geek

How did you get into design ?

• Always into art and won lots of competition at school
• Worked at print finisher company
• Wanted to do the stuff on the computer
• Told needed to go to university
• Worked at medical company at warehouse and got moved to team where some graphic design
• After 5 years was quite experienced designer
• Then went to web design agency and became creative director

Logo Geek

• Worked on iPhone game
• Finished this project and wanted to stop
• Stopped for about 2 weeks and then partner at the time said why don’t you do logos
• Started blogging about logos and posting things that had found on the internet
• Built community
• Created podcast
• Pretty good for someone who is self taught to be asked to do the Cambridge University logo

Went part time

• Demanding role as creative director
• Decided had to give up either Logo Geek or Job
• Did not want give up logo geek
• Mum passed away and decided that did not want to regret not doing anything
• Handed in notice and would work part time.
• Keep stability of part time job

Went Full Time

• Had baby. Going to work but partner would send pictures but not the same. Felt missing out
• Felt like in Creative Director job was not doing something of significance
• Felt like right time to leave.
• Had leads coming in for Logo Geek
• January this year handed in notice and went full time with Logo geek in March.

What factors would you consider when setting up a brand ?

• Brand - a folder in your mind. Collection of memories of a company. Can’t control it but can influence it.
• Brand Identity - packaging, illustrations, event, marketing materials, logo, story, advertising. Described as touch points. Gin is the whole bottle
• Use Social media - manage meaning
• Stand out from competition = branding. Branding is the art of differentiation
• If no branding how would you pick the one you want if all gins looked the same
• Packaging on the shelf differentiates you from others.

Need to have understanding how you want to come across to your audience

• 1. Who do you want to be as a gin / instagram account - location, heritage, special story
• 2. Direct Competition - when creating identity. You need to look different to someone else. Need to know which gin / instagram account is yours.
• 3. Who you are planning to target - who are you targeting to drink your gin / posts. Pin-point specific type of people age group / someone who likes a particular product.
• You can work out the types of images that you want to use
• Share images of gin being made
• Could share images of how it used to be made
• Create old fashioned photos with how it is made
• Tell your story through images and video
• Share experience of the story not just glass and bottle
• Apple logo identify company and associations come from that. This is how a logo develops over time through use and association
• Once create story then you can differentiate yourself

Who are you targeting ?

• Type of gin to target to a very young audience people in early 20s → Images young, fun and punchy
• Student images bright images in a nice club. bold. Different bottle shape Colourful
• Type of gin which would attract people really into gin who have real understanding. Give it a bit of legacy. Packaging feels like around for a long time. One of the originals
• Make video how it gin is made. Image style completely different
• Old one bottle made in old way. Packaging looking in older one
• Create a mood board. Pinterest
• All about differentiation

Mont CervGin

• For the purposes of this episode I have come with a made up brand.
• Create gin brand for distillery based in Zermatt, Switzerland
• Perfect mountain town with mountains all around and snow.
• Gives you feeling of happy, joyous and calm.
• Dominstated by mountain called the Matterhorn, the one on all the Toblerone bars.
• In French it is called Mont Cervin
• I am changing this to Mont CervGin.
• Village wants to serve UK gin market and the mountain wants to serve gin (Mont CervGin !!)

Ians response to my brief

• Initial brief. Need to understand as much as can.
• Understand about the gin. London Dry Gin mixed with Cherries.
• Cherries change the brief. Distillery in Switzerland
• Initially just start website but then ideally move to other channels like Waitrose / Sainsburys then Europe and US

Where and how people would see it ?

• Understand as much as I can about business, gin, competition
• Need to know competition so don’t create similar identity
• Always trying to differentiate
• Understand type of person who want to target
• Core gin drinker. Someone like small batch gin. Clean tasting gin work well with mixologists etc
• Put information into bullet points and get to sign off to confirm it is correct
• Working towards target which based on the information
• Everyone looks at it objectively
• Needs to speak to the right people.

Once initial brief agreed need to create mood board / stylescape

• Create mood board or style scape
• Include:-
• Images which communicate everything spoken about
• Images Swiss towns and Zermatt
• Mountains
• Snow
• Calmness
• Packaging examples might represent this brand
• Pull together cherry images
• Pull together image from any source
• Provides extra clarity
• Stylescape fonts images image of persona want to attract also colours
• Some companies might do a couple. Worth getting down on paper.
• Create something have reference point
• Create something new based on that reference point

Hard to find good graphic designer.

• Not like hiring electrician
• Look at work done before. If you like the look and feel what they have done go with them
• For gin packaging you may require an illustrator as well as designer
• Loads of platforms like fivr but don’t know the experience of that person
• Important to do research properly.
• Make sure work in portfolio is there own work
• If understand competition then know whether going to infringe trademarks.
• Good designer will factor that in.
• Once identity created then should obtain trademark, websites and respective social media accounts

How to contact Ian Paget

• Learn more https://logogeek.uk
• Twitter https://twitter.com/logogeek
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/logogeek/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LogoGeek/

What is your favourite gin packaging and how would you improve it ?

Hendricks

• Liked bottle shape.
• 1950’s kind of style
• Gave impression for more experienced gin drinker

Lone Wolf

• Cool wolf illustration
• Gave impression more younger vibe

Winchester Dry Gin

• Stunning bottle.
• King Arthur round table basis for logo.
• Smaller label with monogram.
• Cork is engraved has pattern.
• Designers taken photo of patterns and textures.
• Improvements to Packaging - simplify a bit.
• Lots of very tiny details.
• From distance be able to distinguish between lines

What do logos mean to you ?

• Quite journey last 8 years.
• Never planned Logo Geek to be what it is now. Community , podcast and book always design.
• Always something new.
• Passion for logos.
• Fascinating topic and always buying books on the topic
• Logos fascinate.
• Integral part of society.

Gin Community Shout Out

• Lot of markets starting to open up.
• Chatted to a few distilleries who have started going to them.
• Please support distilleries and buy from them as much as you can
• Harrogate gin has been popping up all over the place
• Tiger gin has been making me laugh with some hilarious posts. I loved the one with the cat which says when you were drinking tea but wish it was gin

Instagram Community Shout Out

• This weeks Instagram shout out is @glassofgin_packetofseeds
• She says she gets scared with lives but she seem to have done load now. The last one with Dundee had a few technical difficulties but she coped very well
• Loved her live with @Tristan_jorgensen_ and with @otterbeckdistillery
• Loved her post on the porn star martini
• The post on the marriage of two gins from Massignberd Mundy was great. Really loved the story she told.
• Sad that she has had to give up her passion of rugby but glad this has been replaced running after her two girls, who look absolutely delightful.
• Not quite sure how she manages to fit everything in with her two girls as well as gardening and gin
• Hoping to see her next live. She has just announced this after I recorded that it is going to be with @Tristan.jorgensen_.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 12
• Today I am chatting with our first distiller on the programme about his career and his current role as Head Distiller at the Massingberd-Mundy distillery located on the South Ormsby Estate.
• Tristan has been in the spirits business since 2005 where he started at the Laphroaig distillery on the island of Islay, Scotland
• Now has two gins under his belt
• Laura from Lavaspirits had an amazing launch. So amazing to be involved last week. Thank you to you the gin community for your support and praise.
• If you listen in a podcast directory and could spare a few moments of time it would be great to have a review.
• Ian Paget from the Logo Geek is coming on next week so if you have any questions about logo design or branding please submit your questions

Gin Recommendation

• This weeks recommendation is The Botanist
• If you want to follow this brand then follow @thebotanist on Instagram. They are amazing. They are always doing lives about the ingredients they have sourced. On World Gin day they tracked where people were making cocktails all around the world.
• The bottle is really interesting not for the shape. It is the fact it has all 22 botanical latin names inscribed on the outside of the bottle. This creates quite a tactile feel when you pick it up to pour the second one !!!
• The nose of the gin can only be described as botanical. It’s not the in your face nose you get from a London Dry Gin.
• The taste well what can I say other than 22 botanicals hit your tongue all at the same time but they do so in unison. I have to say this is one of my favourite botanicals.
• I think it is quite versatile and can be used with most tonics. It would also work with cocktails and I think it would work even as a dry martini albeit a bit decadent.

Tristan Jorgensen from South Ormsby Estate (Massingberd-Mundy Distillery)

Career

• Moved to Islay, Scotland after a few holidays
• Started in Laphroaig distillery as production operative 
• Moved back to Cheltenham and had chance meeting which led to working at Chase Distillery in Hereford where he was one of two distillers
• Then moved on to Newton House in Yeovil as distiller London Dry
• Consulted at Viper Gin and Dartmoor Whiskey
• Finally came to Massingberd-Mundy

Massingberd-Mundy Distillery

• Wanted distiller to come and build distillery from scratch
• Given opportunity to move family to Lincolnshire
• Still building. Started in August 2019. 
• Got new packaging
• Getting sales
• Licensing took 6-7 months

How does neutral grain spirit get turned into gin ?

• Take spirit and dilute to 50% with estate water
• Put into 120 litre still
• 14 botanicals for Burrells or 12 for Marie Jeanne
• Put still on and then allow to macerate overnight
• Distillation happens next day
• Neutral spirit which is flavourless becomes gin
• Mascerate and throw in botanicals is another method like you make sloe. This is called a compound gin
• Different ways to distill using column still , vacuum still or pot still
• Able to re-us ingredients - head and tails.
• Distillation start have 3 parts
• Heads - super strong and methanol 
• Hearts - flavour and right strength 82 - 68/69 %
• Tails - once below 68/70% down to 0% then store that seperately
• Still called Angelica
• Ran Facebook competition and decided by public
• For Burrells have flavour basket with Juniper, Citrus peel and fruit. This is to add depth to flavour profile

Two flavours of gin

• Burrells - traditional London Dry with contemporary twist Nose fresh floral peppery citrus lots of juniper Palette Juniper led creamy sweetness and mouthfeel. Peppery Citrus. Fruity twist from Apple and Elderflower grown on site. Lingers on palette. Keeps giving. Mellows with tangerine
• Marie Jeanne - pink gin. Red berries on nose Raspberries and Strawberries with hint of lime. Traditional London Dry. On palette sweet and then dry. Cranberry and hibiscus dry finish. Citrus and peppery undertones from lime and pink peppercorns. Finish does not last as much as Burrells. Almost marshmallow like finish
• Signature cocktail The Holy Ghost Angelica Root syrup 

Stan The Stag

• Tristan has a stag stopper on top of his Burrells gin.
• His stag is called Stan the Stag
• Stan needs a doe mate called Lizzie
• Does anyone know where Tristan can get one from ?
• The search continues.

South Ormsby Estate

• 3000 acre in heart of Lincolnshire wolds
• 4 villages 
• 1500 acres of parkland
• Exclusive high end branding
• John Thorns custodian of the estate. Breath life back into community. 
• Lincolnshire red cattle
• Steak boxes / UKs largest beef smoker
• Old Rectory - stunning holiday home
• Work on the old school - Nursery ?
• Hub for rural businesses
• Always looking to expand

Advice For New Distillery

• Take time, don’t rush
• Whatever costs you have add at least 25%
• Do research about who you are trying to target and build a profile
• Identify barriers that this profile might have an work around them.
• Plan for every eventuality. Always think of merchandising especially when choosing your bottle and labels.

New Flavour ?

• Originally Tristan was going to start with 3 gins
• Decide best to go with two gins.
• Vitally important to get current 2 embedded within market. Won’t add any flavours at present
• R&D happening macerated cherry gin on go, macerating blackberries gin on go

Bottles

• Looked at shapes and sizes of bottle
• Thought about practicalities of bottle. If short dumpy bar at front of bar
• Wholesale route to supermarkets - fit into merchandising plan
• Led to smaller, dumpy bottle. Really good quality glass. Got bubble in bottom like champagne 
• Shape of neck beautiful. Only company in UK who uses this bottle
• Wanted one label not two. Worked with design company. Came up with putting portrait on other side of rear label.
• Thinking about merchandising and customers buying with eyes
• Portraits oversized so customers need to pick up to see it

How to get in touch with Tristan / South Ormsby Estate / Massingberd-Mundy

South Ormsby Estate

• Website https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk
• Social
• @southormsbyestate - Instagram
• @southormsby - Twitter
• South Ormsby Estate - Facebook
• South Ormsby Estate - Linked In

Massingberd-Mundy

• Website https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk/products/distillery/
• Social
• @massingberd-mundy - Instagram
• @massingberdmund - Twitter
• Massingberd-Mundy - Facebook
• Massingberd-Mundy - Linked In

Tristan

• @tristan.jorgensen_ - Instagram

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve ?

• Garden Swift - incredible gin. 37 botanicals organic blood orange, flowers and berries
• So rich but so complex. Every time take sip presents something different
• Take brain and palette on tour of so many flavours and spices
• Drink neat to serve with ice, orange and fresh mint

What does gin mean to you ?

• First memory was grandfather drinking gin with angastorra bitters
• History of gin fascinates. Juniper played massive part in what gin is. Such a diverse category of spirit
• Allow creative juices to push boundaries

Gin Community Shout Out

• Four Pillar Gin has gone into jams Breakfast Negroni
• Stockport gin has been ramping up their presence by going out to many indoor markets
• Lots of IWSC awards especially
• Pitwheel - Original Spiced - Sliver
• The Edge Gin London Dry Gin - Silver
• Lava Spirits Coffee Gin Bronze
• Crawshay Gin - Orange Zest Gin - Bronze

Instagram Community Shout Out

• This weeks Instagram shout out is @geordieslovegin
• I love the fact that Andie and Judith are a daughter and Mum and do this together
• Gincredible Warners London Dry Gin - dressed up
• Marie Jeanne - two glasses and the rose. Really nice presentation
• Ginfluencer post - public message to everyone reminding them that they had to wear a mask
• Holy Island Sea Pink - two posts like the first washed up and the second presentation
• She did her first live this week with Tristan and it was really good because it was really diverse being in a restaurant
• Her posts are always fun
• She also has a great logo and great sweatshirt
• Also her Mum has started @superlushcards

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 11
• Today I am chatting with Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits about her journey to get to where she is now, her brand and more importantly her two brand new gins that she is releasing today.
• If you listen to me in a podcast directory I would very grateful if you could review the podcast.
• Keen to talk to distilleries about their journey and their brand.
• Round of gin is going live on 10th August 2020

Gin Recommendation

• This weeks gin recommendation is Pitwheel Original Spiced
• I have been a big fan of Pitwheel ever since I was introduced to them via their hilarious posts on instagram and decided to take a punt.
• I have tried all of Pitwheels gins and although I loved the Classic Dry and the Raspberry and Vanilla the original spiced just pips them to the post
• Tried in June and I remember being worried about the spice -> Opihr gin
• This gin is exquisite. The palette starts of as dry gin followed by a very mild spice
• Just my cup of tea.
• If your looking for a sensational gin and something just a bit different look no further.

Laura Bridge from Lava Spirits

Italy

• Went to Italy because of redundancy from Random House and recession in UK
• Wanted to take a year out and travel around the world and then come back after a year to see what was happening regarding recession
• Went to visit friend in Florence, Tuscany
• Fell in love with Italy and struck by culture and lifestyle and art and art history
• Signed up for 3 month course and then stayed for 15 years
• Working with small magazine like timeout for cities concentrating on events in Milan, Naples, Rome and Florence

London

• Came back in millennium for personal reasons
• Changed gear and transferred skills into city
• For last 12 years in city working for offshoot of Fidelity investments in property investment arm
• Loved multi-cultural vibe in city and night life
• Gin bar around corner at back of St Pauls near to where based
• Decided had enough in 2018 with city life, commute, stressful job etc

Move to Essex

• Decided to get her Yorkie Narla and enjoy the Essex village in which she lives
• Wanted to do something more creative where she can enjoy environment a bit more
• Different type of stress but one she can decided how much she puts on herself

Gin Creation

• First fruit was Sloe gin
• Went down really well with family and friends
• Spring after that went to many places and saw many fruits
• Time in Italy gave love of food and flavours
• Going back to Tuscan table
• Making jams and fruit tarts. Only so much jam a girl can eat
• Base spirit produced elsewhere
• Masceration /compound method

The Big Reveal

• Could not pick enough fruit unless have an army of people so what would work
• What if I put coffee in gin ?
• Had a play in the kitchen and really worked
• Tried on friends and told this is not like Sloe gins "Laura you can't sit on this"
• Spent last 18 months honing recipe, getting to know drinks industry and setting up the distillery
• Two journeys one for coffee and one for gin
• Learnt so much on her journey
• Loving it now

Flavour Profile

• Coffee strong flavour
• Coffee led not juniper led
• Tuscan table combine simple flavours which become complex in the palette
• Very smooth. Sits nicely neat or on the rocks
• Depth of flavours come in waves
• Do actually get to the juniper but takes a while
• Cherry, marzipan, vanilla and chocolate flavours
• Juniper comes in waves
• Base spirit has citrus which complements coffee
• Premium London Dry

Twist on that Coffee and Orange

• Heavy on citrus
• Aroma of orange and zest
• Really going to be favourite

7th August

• Launch day
• Ad campaign launches
• Both gins will available on website https://www.lavaspirits.co.uk
• Two sizes 35cl and 70cl
• Coffee Gin and Coffee Orange Gins available in twin packs of 35cl
• Later on will be available in other places.
• Local bars doing a pre-launch trial

Mixologists

• Gins likely to go down very well with mixologists and bar tenders to play around with
• Laura has been working with a mixologist to develop signature cocktails for each gin
• Versatile spirits
• Lovely neat and on the rocks
• Using this in long serves with Fever Tree Ginger Beer
• Good with different flavoured tonics.
• Good with darker mixers such as the recent ones brought out by Coca Cola
• Twist on classic cocktails such as Expresso Martini or Coffee Negroni
• Also used on desserts. Good for chefs. Tiramisu, ice cream or some fruit sorbets
• Vanessa came on three weeks ago not last week !!
• Not sweet on the palette
• Sweetness comes from roasting of coffee beans
• Great coffee bean can be destroyed by bad roaster
• Artisan roasters bring sweetness out of the coffee
• 100% Arabica Coffee
• True art

Brand

• Quirky
• Focussed on artisan side of things
• Premium hand crafted gin
• Bottles hand finished and hand waxed. Drew on experience from Italy. Italians managed to maintain artisan crafts
• Label design journey in itself. Designer 3 nailed label. Previously latched on to lava spirits as molten lava. Nothing to do with lava spirits
• Emphasis not on brand name
• All about coffee. Clear bottle to allow liquid to shine through
• Coffee gin has a splash of red berries to indicate coffee beans
• Coffee orange gin has a splash of orange to indicate the orange.

Competition

• Ask people to guess from a few snippets what lava means
• You can win bottles of Coffee Gin and Coffee Orange gin
• Will be a few post after live day on 7th August

Contact

Instagram - @lavaspirits -best one to use to contact

Twitter - @lavaspirits

Facebook - lavaspirits

Website - https://www.lavaspirits.co.uk

What is your favourite gin other than your own and how would you serve ?

• Favourite Brockmans gin.
• Took 10 years to develop before launch
• Fabulous smooth and you can drink neat
• Junipers wild from tuscany
• Citrus and berry combination
• Serve with simple tonic. Not flavoured tonic. Add in blueberry, blackberry and grapefruit
• Simple uncomplicated flavours that combine really nicely that wow the palette

What does gin meant to you ?

• Means everything
• "Gin is my life"
• Gin started at 18 because aspired to be sophisticated and classy
• All about an experience about savouring a moment
• Laura drinks gin when she wants to savour a moment and create a memory

Gin Community Shout Out

• Anfield Gin gets a special shoutout Mark and Chelsey who are a father and daughter dynamic duo behind the gin. I feel an episode on the podcast coming with Anfield gin in it!!!
• Martin Miller Summerful gin
• Worthing gin great advert for a blow up bottle
• Massignberd-Mundy - exciting new distillery. First live with @glassofgin_packetofseeds on Friday. Got new packaging showing South Ormsby Estate.

Instagram Community Shout Out

• This weeks shoutout to @mothers_not_ruined_
• Recently changed her logo. Last one good but this one is amazing turquoise blue background with her Dalmatian dog.
• I found out after recording that there are actually 4 others in the pack too !!! The full pack is Dolly, Mia, Posh, Dior and Honey !!!
• Her Dalmatians have also appeared in many of her pictures but not as much as I would like as they are beautiful
• Liked her entries into drinkbledon especially the one with the tennis racket and flowers
• Posts colourful and a great background
• Really creative
• Love the gin bramble courtesy of bloom gin redness and the glass with mothers not ruined
• Blue post gin is always the answer.

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 10
• I have had some really lovely responses indicating that you are enjoying the podcast including 2 photos of the podcast directories !!
• Really excited about the episode for you next week but unfortunately I have to keep my lips sealed at the moment !!
• Drinkbledon also at an end. Thank you to @socialgingirl for putting it together. Congratulations to @theginjen for winning
• Sadly Juniper July comes to an end today but #flatlayginday is hopefully coming very soon. Keep posted. Congratulations to Emma from @an_elfs_ruin for putting it together
• Round Of Gin due to go live very soon. Keep an eye on @roundofgin. I will post once it is live along with my fellow reviewers

Gin Recommendation

• This weeks gin recommendation is Mermaid Gin
• Really great mermaid posts
• Ethically Source Ingredients and Local
• Committed to sustainability and conservation
• Eliminating plastic from packaging / supply chains
• Love the brands credentials before get to gin
• The bottle has indentation like scales and is a beautiful sea like colour
• Nose not like normal London Dry.
• Strong spirit like brand but really subtle. Lemon zest ?
• Taste reasonably smooth gin it almosts tingles over your tongue a bit like the sea with the rock samphire playing a little tune.
• This goes with most tonic and would be lovely in a cocktail but sadly I don’t think is smooth enough for a dry martini.
• Welcome addition to any gin shelf.

How would you showcase a distillery products

• How does a small distillery get in front of the community / customers ?

Off the top of my head small business:-

• Website
• E-Mail List
• Instagram posts and instagram reviews
• Also Twitter / Facebook
• Also YouTube Chase Distillery fantastic 360 degree virtual tour
• Get on podcast
• Finding new channels e.g. local bars / restaurants etc

Lives

• Works if you trust those people
• Best if you get them into the distillery
• Travel difficult at the moment
• Generally though lives of one person tasting or possibly live with the distiller. All of which are good

My background

• Project manager
• Avid On Line Business Follower - seen plenty of lives from one side of the fence
• Small business owner with a number of brands
• I think very carefully about my brand and how it is perceived.
• Not enough to look at logo
• Podcaster understand importance of sound and description and try to provide compelling content

How does a small distillery get in front of the community ?

• Big problem for distilleries getting in front of clients
• Issue with travel

Pitch Idea To Distillery

• I was going to pitch this idea to some distilleries as a business opportunity
• Thinking about it much better to see if there is an audience for it.
• What if you had a live on a single platform which included a mixologist, the distiller and a host
• What if the audience paid the distiller before hand for a tasting selection and then got involved by tasting live with the panel
• Everyone is happy can taste along.
• Get mixologist and distiller view along the process and get to taste and showcase a great brand.

User interaction

• What do you think about this ? Would it work for your brand ?
• As an audience member would you be prepared to pay for this ? / Expect Distillery to Pay ? / Discounts ?
• When I send out the post at 14:00 for the podcast I would be very grateful if you could put down your thoughts.

Gin Community Shout Out

• Chase Distillery 360 Degree Virtual Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSL34YALbrg
• Vanessa @nessejay91 Anfield Gin @anfieldgin, Pitwheel @pitwheeldistillery, Stonewall @spiritofstonewall, Agnes Arber @agnesarbergin
• Altitude Gin - thanks @jamie_and_gin for pointing this gin out
• Massingbird Mundy - Marie Jeanne Pink Gin caught my eye. Not only does it sound amazing the bottle and liquid inside is stunning.

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Shout out to Carissa and Lisa from @PoshGinBirds
• From where I was born in Swansea. So tick in the box from being from South Wales.
• Very recently become brand ambassadors for Cardiff Distillery which is really exciting
• Such vibrant posts. Seem to pick a colour palette and go with it
• Orange - Loved their Georgia Gin Cocktail which had peach melba schnapps and crawshaygin and orange juice
• Yellow - Stockport gin from Selfridges
• Green - crawshay gin heart and drink
• Favourite gin duo
• @poshginbirds

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers

Welcome To The Gin Ignite Podcast

Whether you want to party or have a quiet night in gin will ignite

News

• Hello and Welcome to Episode 9
• The four week review feels like months in a good way
• To think before this I could not even add to my stories. Now they seem to be bumper edition all the time !!
• Thank you for accepting me into the gin community.

Gin Recommendation

• This weeks gin recommendation is The Edge Gin Pear
• I reviewed this last week on Instagram and I think this is real addition to any gin shelf.
• Mainly because it is different
• The nose of this gin is really interesting because it smells just like a London Dry but there is something in addition which indicates it is slightly sweeter with a very mild pear aroma.
• On tasting neat, as I always do, the pear was really at the forefront of the initial taste but it was not too in your face nor too tart. It was in fact just right. This was followed by a sweeter pear taste. 
• The pear was not too overpowering as it often is in many other alcohols including some gins that I have tasted before !!!.
• I paired this with a Mediterranean fever tree tonic for testing purposes but it would easily be at home with an Elderflower or standard tonic. It would be a happy addition to a cocktail but you would need to complement the flavour otherwise it would get lost.
• I would be very interested to try this as a dry martini.

4 Week Review

The Show

• Wanted to have a bit of me, you and the gin time
• Use time wisely drum up support for being on the show [email protected] or DM me.

Reviewers usually pay for their gin !!!

• Wise advice → first starting up → No freebies
• Gutted because I thought the podcast might be given gins !!! Shows my nativity initially.
• Most of the reviewers find the same. Either win or buy there own gins.
• If as a distillery you do decide to get reviews go out to know organisation such as round of gin reviewers or known reviewers that you have dealt with in the past.
• We want to stamp out people just taking freebies and then not reviewing or doing what they said they would.

Guest Review

• Really pleased to have the legendary Nikki Mendes from The Only Way Is Gin.
• I know the brand, gin school, bar and signature gin are all going to be very successful.
• We will be following her progress on the podcast.
• Also had the inspirational Vanessa last week.
• My life will never be the same again after having a cocktail named after me. The Bendalorian
• I also liked the fact we got a chance to talk about the Hibbs Lupus trust and LGBTQ+ because it reminds me how accepting this gin community is.

Podcast Support

• There is always room for more and I would love you to tell your story to the gin community
• I would also appreciate a bit of support if you think that I am missing something that you would like me to highlight.

Thanks to Three Distilleries

• I would like to thanks to three distilleries for their fantastic service to the gin community.

• Pitwheel Distillery
• Spoken about before but they are amazing on their turnaround of orders and how they keep you informed
• They are also award winners LSC - Bronze for Classic Dry and Raspberry and Vanilla and Silver for Original Spiced.

• The Edge Gin
• There Pear flavour blew me away and it is why it is this weeks recommendation
• It has also received a LSC Bronze which is amazing.
• The customer service, environmental packaging and overall magic of this company really inspires me to support them more.

• Martin Miller
• Martin Miller have been really supportive of the podcast and even included me on their Instagram story on Tuesday and Wednesday which is an absolute honour
• I am hoping to get them on the show in the very near future
• Their London Dry Gin is a necessity in my opinion for any gin shelf.
• It is so smooth.

Drinkbledon

• I also want to shout out to @socialgingirl for Drinkbledon. Sad that it is not Ginbledon II as I like the fact it is only open to gin, but I am biased.
• This has been amazing to watch in round 1. The creativity is amazing. The quarter finals today Tuesday were amazing.
• Cannot believe the creativity and the attention to detail.
• I am also gutted that some of the entries did not go through because I thought they were sensational
• I have spoken to @socialgingirl and there maybe something coming soon but it is under wraps for the moment.

Juniper July

• I also want to shout out to other very special people in the community and that is @an_elfs_ruin with Juniper July
• She has created such a vibrant community and willingness for a challenge and engagement. I think perhaps more than she thought.
• I know a lot of people in the gin community that I see go mad for this challenge and I look forward to new challenges.

#FlatlayGinDay

• Poor me has ear chewed off by excitable elf.
• Messaged Emma asking if she was doing any more challenges.
• Got told next week and then got a phone call today
• I have talked to Emma and the Elves and I am delighted that if you go to:-
• https://anelfsruin.com/2020/07/24/flatlayginday you can find out more
• Emma has been amazed at the industry and like minded ginenthusiasts who have embraced Juniper July
• The challenge month has seen such variety and creativity of everyone that has been involved
• Interpretations of the theme time and effort gone in + details and descriptions that has accompanied images
• Uplifting and got her and her Elves thinking of another challenge
• Imagine a country fayre. The Veg tent.
• Home grown produce, floral displays and home crafts all for the honour of Rosettes
• This year unlikely that seeing it in that format

The Challenge

• Challenge inspire creativity and requires some effort
• Return = reward. Elves love treasure and so does the gin community
• Everyone likes a bit of healthy competition
• Who does not like a topic, element of competition and as we all know the Ginstagram family loves a flatlay

How to get involved ?

• New topic will be released Sat / Sun TBC giving time to think and prepare a post
• Participants have to post by the following Friday using hashtag #FlatLayGinDay, the relevant topic, Name and tagging @an_elfs_ruin & sponsor for the week.
• Sponsor judges posts and comes up with winner who gets a prize and runners up who get rosettes.
• Most likely winners will be announced day before next topic is released
• Judging based on all elements of post not just visual but description and how interpreted
• Open to all

Purpose

• Meet ginthusiasts, share knowledge, challenge and brand awareness
• Hopefully run over 6 week period 6 challenges 6 sponsors
• Inspiration #FlatLayFriday

Gin Community Shout Out

• If you have a new product like Worthing Gin Orange Blush then let us know we are happy to get the word out there.
• Easiest to IM me but can also get me on [email protected]

Instagram Community Shout Out

• Shout out to @gin_and_blooms
• I loved her two entries for #Drinkbledon
• I think she has an amazing sense of being able to get flowers or fruit into most pictures be it in the shot itself or in the drink
• I think it is amazing that she works for the NHS
• I like the multitude of colour she gets into her posts
• Please support her and if you are not already following her why not ?
• @gin_and_blooms

Get In Contact

• IM me at @ginignite Instagram or @ginignite on Twitter
• E-Mail me at [email protected]
• If you have ideas IM me or e-mail at [email protected]
• If you want to be on the show then IM me or e-mail me at [email protected]

Final Thought

• The thing that I like about the gin community that I have met so far is that no one judges anyone for what they believe, what they look like or who they choose to be.
• The world would be a better place if everyone took that view.
• Grab your drink, toast those you love, enjoy your weekend and whether your decide to party or stay in I will be with you in spirit !!!
• Seriously though enjoy your weekend and I look forward to joining you for another episode next Friday.
• Cheers